CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MASON
NYC didn’t feel like a city anymore.
It felt like noise that had learned how to follow you.
Everything was louder here—hallways, doors, footsteps, even silence. Especially silence.
Hotel check-in took longer than it should’ve. Too many bodies, too many names being called, too many bags stacked like everyone was trying to prove they were staying longer than they actually would.
Coach was already annoyed before we even got keys.
“Rooms. Two per. No switching. No wandering.”
Jace leaned toward me. “That last part is definitely for you.”
“I’m not wandering.”
“You wandered emotionally for like a week.”
I didn’t answer.
Because I already saw her.
Rowan.
Standing near the lobby seating area with Serena, bag at her feet, hairslightly pulled back like she’d been holding it together since the airport.
Caleb was nearby again.
Same pattern.
Same distance.
Same ease.
I hated how consistent it was starting to look.
Like something I couldn’t interrupt.
Rowan
The hotel was too nice to feel real.
Marble floors. Soft lighting. Staff that moved like they’d been trained not to notice anything personal.
Serena flopped into one of the lobby chairs. “This is ridiculous.”
“It’s temporary,” I said.
“Everything is temporary,” she replied. “That’s not comforting.”
Caleb stood beside us, scrolling through his phone. “We’ve got room assignments in five.”
I nodded.
Then I felt it.
